Jazz Rock

The song “She’s Not There” by The Zombies was a hit in the U.K. as well as in America and is part of the Sixties British Invasion music. The British Invasion started in February of 1964 and continued for the next few years. It opened the door for many talented young British rock bands. One of these bands, The Zombies, broke out in the later part of ’64 with their mega-hit “She’s Not There.” It was written by The Zombies’ organist Rod Argent.

Argent wanted to write a song featuring the high vocal range of Zombies’ lead singer Colin Blunstone, later remarking “I could hear Colin singing it in my mind.” Argent based his uniquely poetic lyrics on the true story of his first love who called off their wedding at the last minute and broke his heart. Not your typical pop melody, “She’s Not There” is set in a minor key and is peppered with smoky jazz chords.

“She’s Not There” reached #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1964. Rolling Stone magazine ranked “She’s Not There” number 297 on its list of the” 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.” The members of The Zombies were Rod Argent, Paul Atkinson, Hugh Grundy, Colin Blunstone, and Chris White.

One piece of trivia is that The Zombies played at Murray The K’s Christmas Show at the Brooklyn Fox Theater. In that show, they not only played seven sets a day, but drummer Hugh Grundy had the job of revving the motorcycle when the Shangri-Las played “Leader of the Pack.”

Here are the lyrics to “She’s Not There” by The Zombies:

Well, no one told me about her
The way she lied
Well, no one told me about her
How many people cried

But it’s too late to say you’re sorry
How would I know, why should I care?
Please don’t bother trying to find her
She’s not there

Well, let me tell you ’bout the way she looked
The way she acts and the color of her hair
Her voice was soft and cool, her eyes were clear and bright
But she’s not there

Well, no one told me about her
What could I do?
Well, no one told me about her
Though they all knew

But it’s too late to say you’re sorry
How would I know, why should I care?
Please don’t bother trying to find her
She’s not there

Well, let me tell you about the way she looked
The way she acts and the color of her hair
Her voice was soft and cool, her eyes were clear and bright
But she’s not there”

For another song by The Zombies: “Time of the Season.”

Check Out The Groove Pad for More 1960s Music

The Pass the Paisley Groove Pad is a resting stop, a place to chill out and listen to the featured song on the stereo. If the mood strikes you, click on the juke box to access and listen to the 40+ songs there. The TV has several channels, with selections updated twice a week. Every now and then, Pass the Paisley hosts an all-request of 1960s and 1970s songs for a Be-In at the juke box in the Groove Pad. Keep on truckin’. Hope you enjoyed “She’s Not There” by The Zombies.